Apparatus for sorting and counting from statistical record-cards



ICAL RECORD CARDS May 7, 1935. A c. CAMPBELL APPARATUS FOR SORTING AND COUNTING FROM STATIST Filed Nov. 19, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet l May 9 c. CAMPBELL 2,000,214

APPARATUS FOR SORTING AND COUNTING FROM STATISTICAL RECORD CARDS Filed Nov. 19, 1930 I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG}.

55 5| I ,47' I 49 3 I I 48 FIG. 2.

I I I III m My 5 I //wen for w, aw

May 7, 1935. c, CAMPBELL 2,000,214 APPARATUS FOR SORTING AND COUNTING FROM STATISTICAL RECORD CARDS Filed Nov. 19, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet :5

Patented May 1, 1935 UNITED STATES APPARATUS I! EDITING sup momma "0M STATISTICAL RECORD-CARDS poratlon of New York lmlication November In GreatBrltaln Claims.

Th s invention relates to apparatus of the kind comprising the combination of (a) a machine which, for sorting -statistical records, has a card reading device, a plurality of card receptacles and sorting mechanism operable under the control of the card-reading device to distribute the cards to the receptacles in accordance with the position of a hole or holes in a selected column on the cards, and (b) counting apparatus which has a plurality of units-counters each operated under the control ofthe said card-reading device to count the number of cards having, in a selected column or columns, a hole in a particular position or positions allocated to that counter.

It is an object of this invention to provide means whereby the capacity oi such apparatus may be increased when it is used for compiling census returns and for other analogous pllrpom.

I'br simplicity of explanation it will be assumed that the present apparatus is to be employed for compiling census returns as being one of its most important uses but the apparatus can be employed with advantage for other similar p se In such work each fact is recorded on a separate card for each person by means of a special hole, for example a particular hole would denote that the card related to a man, so that by counting the number of cards containing this hole the number of men can be counted. In the same way the number of women could be counted.

By sorting the cards into, say, a male group and a female group and then counting the cards to ascertain the number oi single and oi married persons in each group, these totals can be obtained separately for each sex. Thus it will be seen that both sorting and counting operations are involved and, while these operations may be carried out on separate machines, it is preferred to use a combined apparatus as described above partly because the cards can then be counted and simultaneously sorted into a new order in readiness for a subsequent counting operation.

In commercial apparatus of this kind the cards feed at the rate of 400 cards per minute and the capacity of the receptacles is 800 cards. When, as frequently occurs in census-wonh the order of the cards is not to be disturbed during several counting operations, the sorting mechanism is disconnected from the card-reading device and the cards are delivered to a reject receptacle. This receptacle will therefore become full after two minutes running so that the apparatus must be stopped, the receptacle emptied and the apparatus restarted, thus the capacity of the apparatus is Y., a coris. me, am No. mm

Deoem ber 13, 1929 inadequate under these sorting receptacle is being used although it is adequate when sorting is being effected. f

According to the present invention apparatus of the kind described above is provided with a plurality of change-over devices each associated with a separate one of a series of the card receptacles of the sorting machine and each so arranged as to be actuated as the result of the associated receptacle becoming fully loaded, and automatic mechanism operable by the actuation of one of the change-over devices to cause the sorting mechanism to pass the cards to the next receptacle in the series. Thus, it will not be necessary to stop the machine until after all the receptacles in the series have become full.

when the sorting mechanism is of the kind wherein the cards are read while in motion and wherein the time in the card cycle at which an impulse is received determines into which receptacle the card will be passed, the automatic mechanism preferablyincludes a plurality of normally ineifective impulse-transmitting devices each associated with a separate card receptacle in the series and each so arranged as to be rendered effective by the actuation of the change-over device associated with the preceding receptacle in the series, to transmit an impulse to the sorting mechanism at such a time in each card cycle as will result in the sorting mechanism delivering the cards to the receptacle associated with the said impulse-transmitting device. When the sorting mechanism includes an electro-magnet for controlling'its operation the automatic mechanism is conveniently constituted by a commutator having a conducting segment associated with each receptacle and a brush which is connected to said magnet and is operated in synchronism with the card feed to make contact with the commutator segments in succession at the proper times in the card cycle, and the change-over devices each includes a normally open pair of contacts closed when the device is actuated and connected in series with the commutator segment associated with the succeeding receptacles in the series.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way 01' example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a sorting machine embodying this invention. v

Figure 2 is a cross section showing the sorting mechanism employed. i

conditions since only one -pockets H, for example,

Figure 3 is a transverse section through a card receptacle of the sorting machine.-

Figure 4 is a transverse section through the sorting machine showing various commutators employed and, i

Figure 5 is a circu't diagram for the apparatus. Like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the drawings.

The present apparatus comprises a sorting machine which is shown in Figure 1 and a counting machine. These two machines form separate units which, however, operate jointly and are generally similar to the, machines described in the co-pending application otFord No. 234,329 filed 19th November 1927, now Patent No. 1,926,896 granted September 12, 1933. I

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the sorting machine is driven by a motor II, which, through suitable gearing, drives a worm shalt II which extends from end to end of the machineandcarries a worm l2 at the right-hand end (Figure 4) The worm l 2 meshes with a worm wheel i2 on a shaft I4 which, through suitable mechanism, drives a picker I5 (Figure 2). The picker advances one card at a time to pairs 0! feed rolls it which feed the cards along the machine over sorting pockets l1. The feed rolls are driven by suitable gearing from the shaft II The first pair of feed rolls feed the cards between brushes i2, i2 and 9. contact roll is and onto the side plates 22. There are two brushes and they are adjustable so that they can be set to read any two columns or the card. Located between the side plates 2| is a movable plate (not shown) which is normally 1 held up by an armature 2i and a spring 22. A

series 'of guide blades 22 rest on the top 0! this plate. These guide blades form passages along which the card can pass, each of which passage terminates over a different one of the sorting ii the card passes be tween the two uppermost sorting blades it willbe passed into the,pocket marked 9 in Figure 1.' If it "passes between the second and third from the top it will pass into the pocket marked 2 and so on. Any card which passes the lowermost blade is passed into the-pocket markedR. As

the leading row of holes, that is the row of 2 holes, passes the brush it, the leading edge of the card is located under the uppermost sorting blade. As the next row of holes comes under the brush the leading edge is below the second blade from the top and so on. e r

Referring to Figure 5, when the brush 12 en'- counters a hole a circuit will be completed through a 'sortin commutator 2l,'thecontact roll is, the brush it, a plug wire 25, a line 26, a switch 21,-which is in the dotted line position, a relay magnet 28 and a sorting magnet 22. When the magnet 28 ,is energized it closes its contacts so and establishes a holding circuit through a contact roll 2|, a line 22, the contacts 20 and the magnets 22 .and 22. The sorting -magnet 29, when thus energiaed attracts its armature ,2l against the actionot the spring 22.

and lowers the movable plate on-which the blades 22 rest. Those blades which are in front oithe card move down with the plate to below the level of the card while those which are the card are held up by the card. The card thus passes between two of the guide blades and is led along until it reaches the, appropriate sorting pocket to which it passes. The circuit. through the sorting magnet is interrupted at the end of the card cycle by the contact roll 2!. The mechanical construction or the counting .chine in which a card is led past the brushes.

This counter therefore counts the total number of cards passing the brushes 0! the sorting ma-,

chine. Twelve of the counters each count the number of cards having a particular hole in the column 0! the card while the last counter counts the number 0! cards having no holes in that column. The sorting machine is provided with a commutator 24 which is operated in synchro- .nism with the passage 0! the cards beneath the brushes to connect each sorting magnet in circuit at the moment when the corresponding hole position is being read, the commutator 24 connecting the magnet 223. in circuit when the trailing edge of the card has passed the brushes. The brush it has been shown as controlling the counting mechanism and when thebrush encounters a hole a circuit is established through the commutator 2|, contact roll l2, brush II, a plug connection 25, a pair of contacts 26, one "of the magnets 22, the commutator 24, a com.- mutator 21 and card lever contacts 2!. The magnet 22 thus energized advances its counter one unit space. Simultaneously a circuit'is established through a magnet 22 which attracts its armature 42 and unlatches the contacts 28 which then open so that only one of the magnets 22 can be energized during one card cycle. I! the brush it does not encounter a hole and energize one of the twelve magnets 32 which countcards having holes, then a circuit is established through the counter 2212. when the trailing edge of the card passes thbrush II, the circuit being similar to that already traced. The magnet 22R. can

by the other counters. The commutators 2|, 21,

22 together with another commutator which will be described later are driven by a shaft ll (Figure 4) which carries a worm wheel 42 in mesh with the worm I2 01 the main driving shait H of the machineso that these commutators are driven in synchronism with the card iced.

As previously explained the apparatus may be used to count the cards in accordance with the holes in one column and to sort them in accordshoe with the holes in another column. It can also be used to sort the cards only, the counting machine being put out of action by disconnecting the plug connection 22 or removing the Brush I2. Further it can be used for counting the cards without sorting them it the switch 21 is moved to the full line position oi Figure 5 to disconnect the sorting mechantsm-from the brush It. When the sorting mechanism is out of action the cards pass in unchanged order into the pocket marked R. in j'igure 1. As previously explained this pocket will become full at the end of two minutes and means is provided tor causing the sorting machine to pass the cards into the pocket marked l2 as soon as thepocketmarkedRisiull and so onin turn into each pocket as soon as the preceding one becomes Within each pocket is a sheli 42 (Figures 2 and 3) which is supported by a rod N, the

lower end or which slides within a fixed tube ll:

presses it upwards.

As the cards accumulate on a shell the latter moves downwards under the weight of the cards, the spring 49 yielding. When the full number of cards have been deposited on a shelf, the shelf will engage the end 41 of the arm 99 of a bell crank lever which is loosely mounted on a shaft 49. The shaft 49 extends along the full length of the machine and is supported in brackets 59. There is a bell crank lever for each of the pockets l1 and the vertical arm 5| of each lever, except that for the card pocket marked 9, co-operates with two pairs of contacts 52 and 53. The arm 5| for the extreme lefthand pocket -co-operates with a normally closed pair of contacts 520 only. When. a pocket becomes full it rocks the bell crank lever l9-5| counter-clockwise so that it opens the contacts 92 and closes the contacts 59.

Referring now to Figure 5 the machine is started by depressing start key contacts 54 thus providing a circuit through stop key contacts 55, a relay magnet 56 and twomotor control magnets 51 and 59. The relay magnet 59 then closes its contacts 58a to provide a holding circuit through the contacts 52a, all the contacts 52 in series and card lever contacts 59, the relay contacts 59a, the relay 59, and the motor control magnets. The motor control magnets close their relay contacts 51a and 59a so as'to provide a circuit through the motor ill. If the machine is sorting the cards a switch 69 will be in dotted line position so that the opening of any of the contacts 52, 52a or of the card lever contacts 59 will break the circuit for the motor control magnets which will in turn interrupt the motor circuit. Thus the machine will stop as soon as the cards cease to feed or one of the card-pockets i1 becomes full and opens its associated contacts 52. When the machine is to count without sorting the switch 69 which is interconnected with the switch 21 for joint actuation will be adjusted to the full line position. The machine will then continue in operation until either the contacts 59 open owing to the cards failingto feed or until the contacts 52a are opened as the result of the extreme lefthand pocket I1 becoming full.

The twelve pairs of contacts 59 are connected on one side in parallel to the line 92. Each of these contacts is also connected to a separate conducting segment 6l of a commutator 92 which is driven from the shaft ll of the sorting machine. A conducting ring 69 of the commutator is connected by a line 95 to the switch 21. A movable brush 64 connects each segment M to the conducting ring in turn concurrently with the passage of a hole position under the brush. The brush 94 rotates counter clockwise in Figure 5 and will make contact with the segment labelled 9 at the 9 time in the cycle, the segment labelled 9 at the 8 time cycle and so on. It should also be explained that the pair of contacts 59 connected to the 9 segment is the pair associated with the pocket I! labelled 8; the pair of contacts connected to the 9 segment are associated with the I pocket and so on, the pair of contacts connected.

to the i2 segment being associated with the pocket marked R.

The operation of the apparatus when the switches 99 and 21 are in the full line position and counting without sorting is proceeding as follows. The operation of'the machine proceeds'until the pocket marked R becomes full and the associated contacts 59 are closed. :During the ensuing cycle the brush 64 sweeps over the segments until it reaches the llfsegment at which time the i2 hole position of the card is beneath the reading brush. A circuit, is then established through the contact roll 9|, the line 92, the pair of contacts 59 closed by the pocket marked R, the i2 segment of the commutator 92, the brush N, the conductor ring 99, the line 95, the switch 21, the relay magnet 29 which thereupon establishes a holding circuit through its contacts 99, and the sorting magnet 29. The sorting magnet 29 is thus energized at the 12 time in the card cycle and rocks its armature 29 so as to cause the card to pass between a pair of blades which will lead it to the I! pocket. The action of the sorting mechanism is as previously explained, except that the magnet 29 is now energized at the proper. time by the com mutator 92 instead of by the reading brush l9. The same circuit is established during the succeeding card cycles until the i2 pocket becomes full. The pair of contacts 59 connected to the li segment of the commutator will then be closed and the commutator will establish the circuit for the sorting magnet 29 when it makes contact with the II segment, that is at the 11 time in the cycle. Thus during the succeeding cycles the sorting magnet will be energized at the 11 time in each cycle and the cards will pass into the ii pocket. The pairs of contacts 59 become closed successively as the sorting pockets fill up until finally the pair associated with the sorting pocket marked9 are closed and the 9 spot on the commutator becomes alive. The cards will then be passed into the extreme leithand sorting pocket (as shown in Figure 1) until this pocket becomes full when the contacts 52a will be opened and the holding circuit for the motor control magnets 51 and 59 will be interrupted. The motor .will then come to rest.

It will be seen that the apparatus will continue in operation, when adjusted for counting only, until all 13 sorting pockets havebeen filled. Thus instead of the machine being stopped every two minutes it will continue in operation for 26 minutes andthe operator's time will not be wasted in constantly emptying the sorting pockets. Further the order of cards is unchanged. It will be apparent that the machine may be adjusted to continue in operation until any desired number of the 13 pockets have become full. Thus, if it is wished to stop the machine after the pocket labelled 2 has become full the switch 99 would be connected across the contacts 52 for the 5 righthand pockets only so that the pair of contacts 52 for the pocket marked 2 will be in series with the switch. The machine will then stop as soon as this particular pair of contacts opens.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for sorting, and counting from, statistical record cards, the combination with a series of card receptacles, of sorting mechanism, a plurality of change-over devices each associated with a separate one of the receptacles for actuation as the result of the associated receptacle becoming fully loaded, and automatic mechanism operable by the actuation of one of the changeover devices to cause the sorting mechanism to pass the cards to the'fiext receptacle in the series.

2. In an apparatus for sorting statistical records, a series of record receiving stations, sortingmechanismoperable to distribute the records to said stations, sensing mechanism associated with the record receiving stations and controlled by the actual quantity of records accumulated in said stations, and a rotary selector controlled by the sensing mechanism for modifying the action of the sorting mechanism to distribute the records ceptacle for actuation by the latter on it becoming full to transmit the impulses corresponding to the next receptacle in the series from the emitter to the sorting mechanism.

4. In apparatus 101 sorting, and counting irom,

bers each associated with a separate receptacle and arranged to be actuated by the associated receptacle when the latter becomes full and to close an associated pair of the normally open con tacts and to open an associated pair of the nor- 8. In a machine tor sorting records, a series of record receiving stations, sorting mechanism operable to sort the records into said stations; mechanism associated with the sorting stations for controlling the sorting mechanism to sort the records into a predetermined station oi the series until said station becomes full and operative when said station becomes full to cause the records to be delivered to the next station of the seriu, including detecting mechanism associated statistical record cards, the combination with a with each station for determining when such staseries of card receptacles, of sorting mechanism whose operation is determined by the time in a card cycle at which an impulse illtrammitted thereto, a plurality of normally ineilective impulse transmitting devices each associated with a separate receptacle in the series and arranged to be rendered effective as the result the amociated receptacle becoming full and a switch device operable in synchronism with the sorting mechanism to connect each impulse transmitting device to the sorting mechanism at a diiierent time in the cycle. y 5. In apparatus ior'sorting, and counting from, statistical record cards, the combination with a series 0! card receptacles, oi sortingmechanism, an electromagnet ior actuating the sorting mechanismtopassthecardtoareceptaciedetermined by the time in the cycle atrwhich the magnet is energized, a plurality of normally open pairs 0! contacts connected in parallel to the magnet and each associated with a separate receptacle for closure by the latter on its becoming full, and a commutator or connecting each pair of contacts in the magnet circuit at the time appropriate to the receptacle next in the series to the one with which that pair of contacts is asso- 6. In apparatus for sorting, and counting from, statistical record cards, the combination with a series oi card receptacles, of sorting mechanism, card ieeding mechanism for ieeding the cards through the sorting mechanism in succession, stopping means tor interrupting the operation of the card ieeding mechanism, automatic mechanism for actuating the sorting mechanism to pass the cards to a selected receptacle, over-load devices each actuated on a separate associated receptacle becoming full and selecting means for statistical record cards, the combination with a plurality oi card receptacles of sorting mechanism, a sorting electromagnet for actuating the sorting mechanism, card feeding mechanism, an elcctromagnet for maintaining the card feeding mechanism in operation, a series of normally closed pairs of contacts arranged in series with the second electromagnet, a switch arranged in parallel with said pairs oi contacts, a series of normally open pairs of contacts arranged in parallel, an analysing brush, a switch arranged toconnectthesortingmagneteithertothebrush or to the normally open contacts, a commutator arranged tocomplete a circuit to each oithe normally open pairs otcontacts in succeaion during each card cycle, and a plurality oimemtion becomes full; and means controlled by the detecting mechanism associated with the last station of the series for interrupting operation of the sorting mechanism when the last station becomes Iull.

9. In an apparatus for sorting statistical records, each having a predetermined-capacity, a series of record receiving stations, sorting mechanism operable to distribute 'the records to said stations, detecting mechanism associated with each statial ior ascertaining when a pocket becomes tuli to capacity, and a rotary selector device controlled by the detecting mechanism for modiiying the action of the sorting mechanism :dflll said-- stations to capacity in prearranged 10. In an apparatus for sorting statistical recor'ds, a series of sorting stations, sorting mechanism operable to distribute the records to said s i means associated with each pocket for determining when a pocket becomes iull, means controlled by the sensing means for modifying the operation of the sorting mechanism to illl the stations in prearranged order, and means controlled by the sensing means associated with the last station to be filled ior interrupting operation of the sorting mechanism when the last station becomes full.

[lLInamachineior sorting statistical records, record receiving stations, sorting mechanism for distributing the records to said stations including a sorting circuit, an electrical circuit closing device operatively connected to said circult to control the time o! closure of said circuit and thereby determine the station to receive records, means for predetermining the quantity 0! records delivered to each individual pocket during a continuous run of the machine, and meansccntrolledbythelastnamedmeansior controlling the circuit closing device whereby to determine a diiierent station to receive the records when a given station has received its lull quota of records.

12.Inanapparatusiorsortingand counting statistical records, sorting mechanism including sortingstationaieedingmeanaanddrivingany given station'becomes full to interrupt said circuit and prevent further operation of the drivim means; and manual means for confining the operative eilect oi the circuit to one pair oi con- 13. In an apparatus for sorting statistical rec ords, a series of sorting pockets each having a predetermined capacity, mechanism operable to sort the records into said pockets including a single pocket selecting element, detecting mechanism controlled by the accumulation of records in each pocket for ascertaining when said pocket becomes filled to capacity with records, and a selector device controlled by said detecting mechanism and operative to modify the operation of the pocket selecting element when a given pocket becomes filled to capacity to cause the sorting mechanism to sort the records into the next pocket of the series without interrupting the continuity of operation of the sorting mechanism 14. In combination, in a sorting machine, a plurality of. sorting pockets, means for feeding record cards successively, pocket selecting mechanism, record analyzing mechanism adapted to control said selecting mechanism to select a pocket for each record card in accordance with the data sensed by the analyzing mechanism. further means independent of said analyzing mechanism for causing said selecting mechanism to automatically select said pockets in a predetermined order to receive successively ted records in such order, and settable means for selectingv either the analyzing mechanism or said last named means for control 01' said selecting mechanism.

CHARLES CAMPBELL. 

